Friday, May 3 by ezeitler
Check it out! New Jersey is judged 7th most bike friendly of all 50 states by the League of American Bicyclists. Here is our state report card. Washington captured the top spot, followed by Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota and our neighbor Delaware. We ranked highly in the policies and programs category, and need to work on our infrastructure and planning. We are lucky (and have worked hard to ensure!) that West Windsor, Mercer County and New Jersey all have complete streets policies. A complete streets policy is a good first step to demonstrate commitment to healthier, safer and more livable communities, but our lower infrastructure score shows the need to advocate for full and effective implementation of these policies in every transportation decision at the local, county and state level. The League report card also recommends several changes to the law in New Jersey such as a safe passing law and a law to prevent “dooring” of cyclists. Lots to do to keep improving our states environment for bikers and pedestrians, but we have a lot to be proud of!
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Posted in Uncategorized |
Thursday, May 2 by ezeitler
May is time to celebrate bike riding in all its forms! I’m enjoying just being out among all the blooming trees on my ride to work, but if you’re looking for something more social, then check out all the events happening this month! You might be interested to sign up and record your distance cycled for the National Bike Challenge, which kicked off on May 1st. Also, there are a ton of local bike rides and events happening in May. Here’s the ones I know about:
Trenton Social Bike Ride Friday, May 3
Bike for the Bridge May 4th Rosedale Park Lawrence, NJ
Specialty Bicycles Women’s Ride Sunday May 5th, 10:30 AM at Knapps Cycles in Lawrenceville
Unchained, the Art of the Bicycle May 11th, Artworks Trenton
Bike to Work Week May 13th-17th
Ride of Silence May 15th 2013, 7 PM WW Municipal Center
Learn to Bike at the WW Farmer’s Market May 18th, 9 AM
Trenton Cycling Revolution Trenton Bike Tour May 18th
Hopewell Valley Central High School 4th Annual Bike Tour to benefit local families coping with cancer May 19th
Are there any I’ve forgotten to mention?
Happy cycling especially in this beautiful weather!
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Posted in Uncategorized |
Wednesday, May 1 by JerryFoster
Please join us Wednesday, May 15 at 7pm at the West Windsor Municipal Center for the Ride of Silence, to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Please arrive early enough to be ready to leave at 7pm. The ride is a free national event that features slow riding, helmeted bicycists on public roads, see: http://rideofsilence.org/main.php
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Tags: bike safety, Ride of Silence
Posted in Advocacy, Bicycling Trip, Uncategorized |
Monday, April 29 by ezeitler
May is National Bike Month! In recognition, the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Authority is hosting several events, including a photo contest, an employer bike challenge, Bike-to-Work Week (May 13-17th, 2013) as well as Bike to School Day (May 8th).
If you’ve been thinking of trying out bike commuting, bike to work week is a great time to give it a go. Need help planning your route or have questions on safety? Consider stopping by and visiting us at the West Windsor Farmer’s Market this Saturday from 9 AM – 1 PM.
For more information and to register for events, visit the GMTMA website.
Happy biking this month!
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Posted in Uncategorized |
Friday, April 26 by ezeitler
The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance is organizing its fourth annual Walk to the Farmers’ Market to mark the opening day of the market on May 4, at 9 a.m.
This free, family-friendly walk is open to people of all ages, and those in wheelchairs and strollers as well.
Receive a Raffle Ticket at the beginning of our walk.
and
Win a Prize at our booth located at the Farmer’s Market.
Meet us at the back of Maurice Hawk School, 303-305 Clarksville Road at 9 a.m. Our mile-long walk will take us to Berrien Avenue on the school path, and then to Alexander Road. We then cross Alexander Road and Wallace Road and continue over the roundabout to Vaughn Drive, where we will proceed to the Farmers’ Market and the WWBPA table for our raffle. Prizes include:
Toddler Bike Helmet, 1 of 3 $5 gift cards for the Market, Reflective Ankle Band and a WWBPA T-shirt.
Children of all ages will be challenged by a game of “I Spy” along the way.
If you can’t join us for the walk, you can still visit our table at the market. We’ll be there every other week starting with the first week of the market.
Hope to see you there!
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Posted in Uncategorized |
Wednesday, April 24 by ezeitler
Come visit WWBPA at Communiversity this weekend. Held this Sunday, April 28th from 1-6 PM in downtown Princeton, Communiversity is a huge street party featuring many University organizations, community groups and of course tons of music, arts, crafts and food vendors. WWBPA will be there partnering with the Princeton Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to share information about biking and walking in our communities. Stop by when you’re out and about and pick up information or purchase some safety gear! See you on Sunday!
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Posted in Uncategorized |
Tuesday, April 23 by JerryFoster
Please join us at the Farmers Market on Saturday May 18 to help teach kids (and any adults who care to try) to learn how to bike.
We use a safe and effective method that teaches kids to balance on their bikes without pedals or training wheels. Then the pedals go back on and we review how to start and stop. No clutching the back of the seat! Children generally learn pretty quickly, though they may need more practice the next day or two. It works! We’ve already taught more than 100 kids. Watch the video from our first class!
To register or volunteer, please send us an email at wwbikeped@gmail.com. If you’re not already a member, we ask that you join us (at least at the $25 Adult level, please consider the $40 Family membership). We’re an all-volunteer private 501(c)3 organization, so your membership donation is tax deductible.
Hope to see you there!
3 Comments »
Tags: farmers market, Learn to BIke
Posted in Advocacy, Bike Skills |
Monday, April 1 by ezeitler
At our Annual Meeting, Paul Kiczek compelled us with the story of Bobby Kennedy’s 50 mile walk in 1963 which inspired him to start the Freewalkers – a group advocating fitness, adventure and community by organizing epic hikes for everyone. Paul mentioned an NPR story on the 50th anniversary hike that his group undertook in honor of that original adventure. Luckily for us, Paul is located right here in New Jersey so it’s easy and extra fun for us to participate. Several folks from the WWBPA took part in a Trenton to Princeton hike on March 24th. The next event is The Great Canal Walk – Trenton to New Brunswick – on April 6th. Check out the Freewalker’s website for more details on upcoming walks as well as the history of long hikes.
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Posted in Annual meeting, D&R Canal, East Coast Greenway, Freewalkers, History, New Brunswick, Pedestrian, Trenton, Washington DC |
Saturday, March 30 by JerryFoster
The WWBPA has long been concerned about safety along Clarksville Rd, especially after a pedestrian was seriously injured while walking his dog at the intersection of North Post Road, near the municipal complex. Mercer County’s proposed changes (pictured) partly address and partly heighten these concerns, and should be remedied to make all legs of the intersection safer.
Following up on our letter to the county supporting the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s recommendations contained in their corridor study, Taming Traffic, we recently followed up with the following letter to the Mercer County Freeholders:
Dear Freeholders,
I am writing regarding the upcoming ordinance on the intersection of Clarksville and North Post Roads in West Windsor. As a citizen living very close to this intersection I observe the daily interactions of vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. As a trustee of The West Windsor Pedestrian and Bicycle Alliance I am concerned with all aspects of safe streets for pedestrians and bicyclists and want the County as well as the Township to remain committed to Complete Streets planning for safe bicycle routes everywhere.
The plans for North Post Road are very troubling. Heading south towards Conover, unlike all the other intersection approaches, there are three lanes of vehicle traffic instead of two.
My concern is safety for children and adults crossing this portion of the intersection heading to the Mercer County Library, Municipal Building, Senior Center and Post Office. This crosswalk is heavily used by pedestrians and the increase of vehicle lanes to four across is extremely unsafe for pedestrians, and there is no safe lane for bikes.
The second area of concern is the north side of the intersection on North Post Road. The plan shows a 17 foot lane with no provision for a separate bicycle lane, or even a shoulder. There is more than enough room for a vehicle lane as well as a bicycle lane, and this heavily used part of our town needs to have that bicycle lane marked. North Post Road is a popular route to and from the Municipal Complex and County Library and to and from the train station as well as the very popular Farmers Market.
The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance sent a letter in September 2012, supporting changes to this intersection as described in the 2007 report from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (“Taming Traffic” p.38; diagram p.37). We strongly request you follow through with improving the safety here by following that plan (which does not include any separate right turn only lane).
Clarksville Road divides our community in two if traffic taming measures are not implemented. We need safe complete streets especially around our schools and libraries.
Unfortunately, I will be out of town for the March 28th meeting or would be there for the public hearing. I am asking for you to approve an ordinance with the safety of pedestrians in mind. A four lane road is not a safe road to cross.
Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Brennan
WWPBA Trustee
Please contact our officials with your support for making the Clarksville and North Post intersection safer for everyone – motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
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Tags: bicyclist safety, bike lanes, Clarksville Road, crosswalk, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, DVRPC, North Post Road, pedestrian injured, pedestrian injured while walking dog, pedestrian safety, right turn lane, taming traffic
Posted in Advocacy, Clarksville Road, Complete Streets, Safety, Uncategorized |
Saturday, March 9 by JerryFoster
Many people regularly bicycle between West Windsor and Princeton, and the WWBPA is frequently asked at the Farmers Market for the safest route to Princeton, which involves crossing Route 1.
We generally recommend Washington Road (CR571) because the traffic circle slows down traffic and lets cyclists make themselves visible to motorists – unlike, for example, the high-speed ramps off Route 1 at Alexander, Meadow or Quaker Bridge roads.
West Windsor Township Council supports this, and adopted a resolution calling on Mercer County to designate a bicycle route along CR571 (West Windsor Twp Council Resolution 2010-R174).
Since West Windsor, Mercer County and NJDOT have all adopted Complete Streets policies, we were disappointed that no bicycle or pedestrian safety accommodations were evident in the jughandle concept design.
We recommend the following safety improvements to benefit both bicyclists and pedestrians who wish to use or cross Route 1:
1. Add a multi-use path at least on the east side of Route 1 from Alexander Road to Plainsboro, to connect the Dinky Line multi-use path behind the Alexander Road offices to the Penns Neck neighborhood and on to the hospital (and wellness center) in Plainsboro. Improved pedestrian and bicyclist accommodation for Penns Neck will prevent this stretch of Route 1 from becoming as deadly as further north in Middlesex County.
2. Create a safe bicycle route crossing Route 1 using Washington Rd/CR571, for example by reducing the design speed of the jughandle linking southbound Route 1 traffic to CR 571/Washington Road, or by creating a stop from the jughandle before turning right on CR571, to allow drivers an opportunity to look for bicyclists. The current highspeed jughandle merge design will create a dangerous condition for bicyclists traveling the bicycle route between Princeton and Princeton Junction train station.
3. Add marked crosswalks to all legs of the intersections.
4. Add bicycle lanes or sharrows to the improved intersections to guide bicyclists and alert motorists to the safest lane positioning while using the intersections.
5. Add a westbound bicycle crossing at Harrison even though there is no motorized vehicle crossing in that direction.
6. Add an off-road multi-use trail crossing Route 1 to connecting trails adjacent to the Dinky tracks, as described in the West Windsor Twp Circulation Element of the Master Plan.
Please contact our officials to support these recommendations.
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Tags: bicycle and pedestrian safety, Bicycle Friendly Community, complete streets policy, CR571 Bike Route, Mercer County Complete Streets, NJDOT Complete Streets, Route 1 Jughandles, Rt 571 Bike Route, Washington Road Bike Route, West Windsor Bike Route, West Windsor Complete Streets, West Windsor Jughandles
Posted in Advocacy, Bicycle routes, Bicycle-Friendly Community, Complete Streets, Pedestrian, Princeton Junction train station, Route 1, Route 571, Safety, Uncategorized |
